I tried a few new skincare products this month and I also managed to finish some makeup products that I’ve had for a while. Keep reading to find out which ones I’d repurchase!
Fourth Ray Beauty Rainfall 2% Hyaluronic Acid Serum – I enjoyed this HA serum. It smelled nice and kept my face looking dewy. If I used too much, I found that it would pill, but I eventually found the right amount to use each time.
Repurchase? Yes.
Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color in Bare Pink – This is a pretty beige pink shade. While it is beautiful, it isn’t my fave lipstick.
Repurchase? Maybe
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in 10 Light – This is a great concealer.
Repurchase? Yes.
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray – I wouldn’t say I’d never buy this again, but I feel like it doesn’t make my makeup last that much longer than it normally does.
Repurchase? Possibly.
Tula Pro-Glycolic 10% PH Resurfacing Gel – This is a great, gentle toner. It is more expensive than liquid toners, but it was very gentle on my skin.
Repurchase? Tula no longer has a Canadian website, but I would buy again if I could.
Tula Illuminating Face Serum – I’m so sad I’ve finished this because it’s a great serum. It helped make some dark spots on my cheek go away a lot faster than I expected.
Repurchase? Definitely would if I could.
Youth to the People Superfood Face Wash – I just wanted to try the mini of this cleanser because I’ve heard good things about it. I think it’s almost too cleansing for me because my face feels kind of dry after using it. It’s definitely not an everyday cleanser for my dry skin, but I would use it maybe twice a week (especially since it’s so pricey).
Repurchase? Maybe.
Nature Republic Soothing & Moisturizing Aloe Vera Foam Cleanser – This cleanser had a smell that reminded me of something from my childhood, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. This was an okay cleanser, I don’t hate it, but don’t love it either. It’s one of those squeaky clean cleansers that are maybe a bit too cleansing.
Today, I’m sharing my favourites from May and June! I’ve slowly been trying out new products that I’ve purchased.
I bought the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder in Medium from the Sephora sale and I’m loving it. I do wish they had a larger selection of shades because I would use this as a foundation, but the shade isn’t quite right. I love using the Sigma F30 Large Powder Brush to apply my powder foundations. It’s so soft and fluffy!
I bought this letterboard from Winners and I love the metallic accent that it adds to my room’s decor. I think this quote from Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation is so funny and very true. It’s like that quote from Sweet Home Alabama when the dad says, “You can’t ride two horses with one ass, sugarbean.“
I can see why everyone loves the Colourpop Super Shock Shadows. This is the shade Sailor and while I don’t love the multicoloured glitter (I didn’t read the description when I bought it, I just ordered based on swatches online and it was hard to tell it had the multicoloured glitter, so that was my mistake), I would definitely buy more super shock shadows in different shades.
I’m loving these products on my lips. The Pixi On-the-Glow Multi-Use Moisture Stick, Laneige Lip Glowy Balm in Grapefruit, Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer Balm and of course the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Berry. The Lip Glowy Balm and the Jouer Balm make your lips nice and glossy.
This time last year, I had 340 makeup products (check out my post). By December of last year, I decluttered a lot and finished quite a few products (check out my post). I cut my collection in half and now my collection is down to 100! I hope to continue streamlining my collection. Maybe next year, I’ll have 50-75 products.
I was sent some products from Derma Roller System to try out. I’ve always wanted to try a derma roller. I always see them at Winners, but since they’re only like $10, I feel like those aren’t made with stainless steel. Keep reading to find out what I think about derma rollers!
The patented, award-winning Derma Roller System® provides a natural way to improve the appearance of skin. By painlessly rolling 200 gamma-sterilized stainless steel needles over your skin, the Derma Roller creates tiny microchannels to stimulate and trigger the skin’s natural healing process and increase collagen and elastin production (the two proteins that help make up the structural components of skin).
Performing treatments with the Derma Roller once every few weeks results in visibly firmer, smoother, and younger-looking skin.
The Derma Roller has been clinically proven to help treat common signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, cellulite, scars (including acne scars), and stretch marks, providing smoother skin and promoting hair growth (when used with Minoxidil 5%).
Benefits
Improves the appearance of acne scars, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles
Firms skin
Evens out skin tone
Increases the effectiveness of topical skin care
Great for all skin types
I chose the 0.5 mm size because I thought it’d be best to start with the smallest size. They also sell 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5mm. Below is a chart from their website to show you what the benefits are of each needle size.
I’ve been using the derma roller for a few months now and I think I’m noticing a difference in my skin. On my nose, I have some little ‘pits’ from being bad and squeezing out whiteheads. I noticed that after a few weeks, one of the larger pits looks smaller. I will admit that the dermaroller kind of hurts because you are poking skin with tiny needles. I don’t apply any pressure. I’m rolling it over my face or body with the lightest touch. I’ve used it on my leg where I have a dark spot from eczema and I think it has lightened it a bit.
To clean it, I place the derma roller inside a cup and pour in some isopropyl alcohol (just enough to cover the head of the derma roller). I let it sit for about 30 minutes (as instructed).
A powerful anti-aging serum highly concentrated with vitamin C (creates elastin and collagen) and vitamin E (antioxidant and moisturizer) to minimize the appearance of deep wrinkles and reduce the look of age spots and discoloration.
RATING: 3/5
The anti-aging serum smells nice from the Hyaluronic Acid and doesn’t feel too tacky. I like that it doesn’t pill like one of my other Hyaluronic Acid products. However, it’s not that different from other skincare products on the market.
Before you read this post, please remember that we all have difference preferences and skin types. These are MY hits, misses and likes. You might love something I don’t like or dislike something I love.
HITS
Micro Brow Pencil – This was one of the first brow pencils I tried and it’s a great drugstore brow pencil for those who just want to fill in the gaps.
Fill & Fluff Eyebrow Pomade Pencil in Ash Brown – I’ve tried samples of pomades that come in pots, but I’ve never tried a pomade pencil. I liked this the best out of all the brow pomade products I’ve tried, but I still prefer a pencil with a more precise tip.
Makeup Setting Spray – This is a good drugstore spray that doesn’t have a scent to it.
California Beamin’ Face & Body Bronzer in Free Spirit – This is a huge pan for a bronzer. It’s a really pretty bronzer that has a sheen to it (even more of a sheen than Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer- so if you like a matte finish, this isn’t the bronzer for you). It’s also really beautiful as an effortless summer eyeshadow to give you that bronze look.
Bare With Me Hydrating Cheek Tint in Do Me Right – This is a really pretty berry cheek tint. Perfect for the summer time and blends out nicely.
LIKES
Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil – While I do like this Tinted Skin Veil, it doesn’t quite cover up redness around my nose and chin. On clearer skin days, this will be great for me. This is great if you already have flawless skin, but just want to even it out a bit.
HD Concealer Wand (Colour Correctors) – I tried the green and yellow shades and I didn’t love the smell of these. Also, I found that if I tried to conceal the redness on a blemish that was a bit dry, the concealer would accentuate the dry, peeling skin.
MISSES
A Bit Jelly Gel Illuminator – I find jelly highlighters to be a bit gimmick-y. While they’re cool for festival/Halloween looks, they’re not the best for an everyday look. Jelly illuminators are a bit too chunky for me – not the jelly itself, but the glitter in them.
High Definition Foundation – I bought this so I could darken another foundation I had. This broke me out and I also remember it smelling like chemicals.
Bare With Me Prime. Set. Refresh. Multitasking Spray – While this does have Alcohol Denat in the ingredients, so do other higher end sprays. This has a nice scent and the mist is very fine. If it didn’t have salicylic acid in it, I would love this spray. Unfortunately, it caused me to break out because the salicylic acid brought up my underground blemishes.
I realized that I never wrote a dedicated review to the Lancôme L’Absolu Lacquer Lip Gloss.
This innovative lip gloss combines the comfort and shine of a gloss, the pigment of a lipstick and the lasting power of a stain. Our innovative oil in water emulsion is lightweight and non-sticky, providing up to 6H of wear. Enriched with glycerin, lips feel hydrated throughout the day. The high shine finish and vivid colour payoff are buildable from sheer to full coverage in 1-2-3 coats.
1) One coat for a sheer natural look witha dewy shine finish 2) Two coats for an intense look with fresh colour and lacquered shine finish. 3) Three coats for a dramatic look with audacious colour impact & ultra lacquered shine!
Originally, I bought this for my mom. It’s the shade 236 Pour Toujours. We bought it based on the online swatch (see below)- it looked more mauve than it does in real life. My mom tried it and it wasn’t quite her colour, so she gave it to me.
I quickly fell in love with it. This lippie is basically a hybrid of a lipstick and a gloss – pigmented with a glossy sheen. It’s lightweight and doesn’t feel sticky like a gloss. It’s the perfect My Lips But Better Shade for me. I love the flat applicator and the slightly pointy/rounded tip of it.
Top swatch is slightly blended in, bottom swatch is straight from the tube.
RATING: 5/5
The name of this shade is perfect because I think I will have this in my collection ‘Forever’ (Pour Toujours). I would definitely consider trying other shades.
Today, I’ll be reviewing some products from Sdara Skincare. They sent me a rose quartz roller and some eye gel patches! Keep reading to see what I think about these products!
Rose Quartz Roller
Get the glow – Be blown away by a younger and more radiant YOU. Prepare yourself to see even skin tone in the mirror that it might shock you, until you remember that you used our Sdara Skincare Rose Quartz Roller! Slow down aging (if you want to) – Bless yourself with aging gracefully. You’ll think, “Woah! What happened to that wrinkle? Why are my pores so small?” Because that’s the power of collagen reproduction and lymphatic drainage from our little pink miracle worker. Product Penetration – Your products will apply effortlessly with increased absorption! Massage products into your skin for increased effectiveness. Treat Yourself – You’ll want to roll our roller all over your body! That’s what one of our Sdara beauty gurus had to say. It’s the best to soothe irritated skin.
RATING: 5/5
I am loving the Rose Quartz Roller! I love the colour and the coolness of the roller just feels so nice on the skin. It makes your face feel nice, refreshed and ready for your skincare and makeup. The coolness from the roller is also great for those hot summer days. It’s also useful when you’ve already applied your skincare and it helps work it into your skin.
Eye Gel Mask
For days when under-eye concealer just won’t do, (no one has to know you didn’t relax the night away), Sdara Eye Gel Mask acts like a soothing second skin to immediately target and soothe the area. Promoting brighter, plumper, and more youthful-looking skin, preventative ingredients like natural snow mushroom, sodium hyaluronate, peptides, and gold restore natural moisture, boost collagen production, and firm your skin. Puffy, tired-looking eyes, we’re coming for you.
RATING: 3/5
The eye gel patches are also quite nice. They feel cool on the eyelids and undereyes and my skin feels smooth and soft after using it. Although I could do without the glitter that comes off the eye masks.
I am impressed with the products I received from Sdara Skincare. I would be interested in trying the microneedle roller (0.25mm). While I already have one from a different brand that has 0.5mm needles, it would be interesting to try one with smaller needles. Maybe have one for the body and one for the face.
I was very generously sent some of the new summer arrivals for NYX and I’m so excited to share my thoughts on them with you! This is not a sponsored post. Although I did receive these products for free, I was not asked to review them on my blog.
Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil
Reveal your freshest self with our new Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil! Simply smooth this weightless formula onto the complexion for light, breathable coverage with a seamless and satiny finish. With 12 forgiving shades formulated to accommodate a wide range of skin tones, each flexible hue feels like a second skin and delivers up to eight hours of hydration.
WHAT IT IS
A lightweight tinted cream with a seamless, satiny finish.
Available in 12 shades, I received Pale Light, Vanilla Nude and True Beige Buff.
I think this is perfect if you already have beautiful skin and want to wear something very light. True Beige Buff is a good shade for me (I could probably go up a shade or maybe mix it with one of the darker shades that’s available). This tinted cream blended out very nicely, but it didn’t cover redness. Comparing this to the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, the coverage isn’t as good, but it still looks really pretty on the skin and you can go in with concealer to cover any redness. The first time I tried this, I applied it on my cheeks and forehead, but didn’t apply on my nose and chin (which is where I have redness). Instead, I just applied concealer in those areas because I was going for a more natural look and didn’t want to have too many layers. After about 7-8 hours, the areas where I applied the Tinted Skin Veil looked good still except it looked a bit cakey where I had bronzer.
Vanilla Nude (left), True Beige Buff
Bare with Me Hydrating Cheek Tint
Keep it real with our limited-edition Bare With Me Hydrating Cheek Tint. Available in three sheer and ultra-lightweight shades, each portable stick gives you that post-workout flush—minus the sweat! The fresh-looking color glides and blends easily onto cheeks for a diffused glow that leaves skin hydrated for up to eight hours. Take your essential aloe and cucumber-infused hue on the go and touch up any where the wind takes you.
WHAT IT IS
A limited-edition cheek tint infused with aloe and cucumber extracts.
Available in 3 shades, I received all 3 in Do Me Right, Creative Cleanse and Detox Me.
RATING: 4/5
A cheek tint is the perfect choice for the summer time. The shade Do Me Right is the perfect berry shade for a naturally flushed look. I apply it directly onto my cheeks and then blend out with my fingers.
California Beamin’ Face & Body Bronzer
Here comes the fun: it’s our new California Beamin’ Face & Body Bronzer! This massive bronzer comes in six sun-kissed tones that are gonna turn up the heat. Featuring a creamy texture, our all-over powder delivers a warm faux glow with a flattering satin finish. Each carefully curated shade blends smoothly across the face or body and allows you to create an airbrushed, second-skin effect.
WHAT IT IS
A jumbo bronzer designed to be dusted all over the face and body
Available in 6 shades, I received 3 in Free Spirit, Beach Bum and The OC.
RATING: 4/5
I have mixed feelings about this one. I use the shade Free Spirit which is the lightest of the 6 available shades. I’m still working on my bronzer technique, so I think it has more to do with me than the product. On the other hand, this bronzer has a sheen to it and a bit of shimmer (more of a sheen than Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer). I prefer either matte or satin finish, but I don’t love shimmer in my bronzer. One thing that I do love about this though is that it’s really pretty as an eyeshadow and on the body for a bronzed glow.
Fill & Fluff Eyebrow Pomade Pencil
The boyfriend jean of the eyebrow world has arrived! Our new dual-ended Fill & Fluff Eyebrow Pomade Pencil features a retractable, teardrop-shaped pomade bullet for shading, plus a micro paddle brush for blending on the flip side. It comes in eight matte colors with a smooth, waxy texture and pigmented finish. Perf for drawing the effortless “boy brow” look and building controllable volume, our arch-styling duo is just what your makeup routine needs to up your brow game.
WHAT IT IS
A first-of-its-kind brow pencil featuring a smooth, waxy pomade for shading, and a tiny paddle brush for fluffing and blending.
Available in 8 shades, I received Ash Brown.
RATING: 4/5
This is a happy medium between pencils and pomades. Instead of a spoolie, this comes with a tiny paddle brush that fluffs out the product. The paddle brush is cool, but it kind of sucks that it doesn’t come with a spoolie to brush my brows into place before I use it. I actually really liked this product because it made my brows look filled, but fluffy and natural at the same time. I just used my Benefit pencil’s spoolie to brush out my brows. I already love the Micro Brow pencil which is a great drugstore alternative to higher end pencils. Since this is a pomade pencil, it was harder to clean off than regular brow pencils.
I still prefer pencils for natural everyday looks, but this is a good one if I wanted to go full glam or take a pic for IG. The perfect combo was using the Fill & Fluff Pomade Pencil and then using Colourpop’s Brow Boss Clear Gel to set my brows in place.
Bare With Me Prime. Set. Refresh. Multitasking Spray
Put on a fresh face with Bare With Me Prime. Set. Refresh. Multitasking Spray. Infused with aloe and cucumber extracts, our sensitive skin-friendly spray has your complexion covered every step of the way. Just a few spritzes preps or sets your makeup and perks up any look. This multipurpose mist also gives skin a dewy glow, minimizes the appearance of pores, and provides up to eight hours of hydration.
WHAT IT IS
A multitasking face spray that doesn’t dry out the skin.
WHAT IT DOES
Primes the complexion for makeup application and sets or refreshes your finished look.
RATING: 2/5
I was watching one of Tati’s recent videos and she mentioned that this has salicylic acid in it. I had no idea. I read the ingredients, but my eyes must’ve skipped over it somehow. It also has Alcohol Denat. It has a pleasant smell (like cucumbers, but also sorta smells like hairspray). It sprays a very fine mist (better than MAC Fix+ and UD All Nighter Spray). I don’t really want a setting spray to have salicylic acid in it.
A Bit Jelly Gel Illuminator
Dip right into our new A Bit Jelly Gel Illuminator. Available in three shades swimming in sparkles, this jelly-like formula feels and looks seriously amazing. Just scoop some up with your finger and pat the water-based gel onto the face or body. It slips on like a dream as you smooth it onto the skin, leaving behind a lightweight wash of radiance—that glistens even after it dries down! Gettin’ a bit jelly right now? Same, this dewy glow is lit.
WHAT IT IS
A sparkly gel illuminator that is water-based and lightweight.
Available in 3 shades, I received Luminous.
RATING: 2.5/5
This is a champagne shade with blue glitter. Jelly highlighters are interesting, but they’re not great for every day use since the shimmer is a bit chunky (for my liking). I would say this jelly is good for a festival/unicorn/halloween look. This is a water-based product which washes away easily with water (which makes me think it might just melt down your face if you sweat). I would suggest spraying any setting spray before applying this highlighter. The texture of it is nice – when I dip my finger into it, it doesn’t separate or become chunky. It’s almost like a putty because it moves with my finger which is a good thing because then you don’t get any jelly chunks on your face when you apply it. The swatch above isn’t the best representation of what it looks like in person. In the picture, it just look a bit like shimmery Vaseline or something.
After wearing a full face of these new NYX products, I had a huge pimple under my nose that wasn’t there when I first put my makeup on and I also had a few whiteheads pop up on my nose and chin. I think it was caused by the spray because I had used it the day before as well. I haven’t had a lot of luck with NYX complexion products in the past (their HD Foundation broke me out), but it couldn’t have been the Tinted Skin Veil because I didn’t even apply it on those areas. I think the salicylic acid from the spray may have brought some pre-existing blemishes to the surface.
Despite the huge pimple, I am really impressed with the new arrivals! I enjoyed the majority of the products I tried. While I received more than 1 of the different products, I didn’t swatch all of them because some of the shades aren’t my style or are too light/dark. I will be putting the ones I haven’t touched into a future giveaway, so stay tuned on Instagram!
